Help reduce food waste and fight hunger in Dakota County by serving as a Rescue Driver for 360 Communities. Rescue Drivers pick up donated food from local grocery stores and partners, transport it safely to the Lakeville Food Shelf, and assist with unloading and sorting donated items.
This volunteer role is ideal for someone who is comfortable driving, enjoys staying active, and is willing to take ownership of the food rescue process from pickup through delivery.
What Makes a Great Rescue Driver?
Our Rescue Driving Volunteers are dependable, safety-minded, physically able to handle food donations, willing to learn new procedures, and comfortable representing 360 Communities while building positive relationships with our donation partners.
By volunteering as a Rescue Driver, you'll help ensure quality food reaches local families instead of going to waste. Every rescue makes a difference.
Responsibilities
- Drive personal vehicle to scheduled food rescue locations and back to the Lakeville Food Shelf.
- Load and unload rescued food donations safely and efficiently.
- Weigh donated products, record required information, and complete temperature checks and other food safety procedures.
- Communicate professionally with store personnel during pickups.
- Use good judgment when evaluating donated food and discuss concerns with store staff when items appear unsuitable for donation due to spoilage, improper temperatures, or significantly outdated "best by" dates.
- Assist with sorting donations and removing unusable products after returning to the food shelf whenever possible. This support is greatly appreciated by our warehouse team and helps keep rescued food moving to families in need.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to regularly lift and carry boxes weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to stand, bend, carry, and move throughout the duration of a rescue shift.
Qualifications
- Must have your own vehicle and be willing to drive it for pickups.
- Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record and current insurance.
- Ability to follow food safety procedures and complete basic paperwork and recordkeeping.
